Device and Method of Laser Gun Games on Vehicles

ABSTRACT

A novel device and method for playing a laser gun game in vehicles is disclosed. The novel device includes a laser gun, a vehicle having a motor, a receptor mounted on the vehicle to receive a laser gun laser, and an operatively connected to the motor of the vehicle to regulate the motor when the receptor is activated by a laser from the laser gun. The novel method includes the steps of firing the first laser gun at the receptor of the first vehicle to cause the motor in the first vehicle to increase speed; firing the first laser gun at the receptor of the second vehicle to cause the motor in the second vehicle to slow down; firing the second laser gun at the receptor of the second vehicle to cause the motor in the second vehicle to increase speed; firing the second laser gun at the receptor of the second vehicle to cause the motor in the first vehicle to slow down; and firing the first or second laser gun at receptors on a track to provide awards to the first or second player.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and method of laser gun games, in particular, to a device and method for a laser gun game on vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since long before the days of playing cops and robbers, people have enjoyed mock combat games. As technology has advanced, so has the ability to engage in these mock combat games. In particular, these laser gun games consist of a player that is equipped with a laser gun and an outfit with receptors. The player engages with other players wearing the same equipment and shoots at the opposing player, while trying to avoid being shot himself. Another game enjoyed by people of most ages is driving, such as racing vehicles like go-karts. In fact, marrying mock combat games such as laser tag with go-kart racing would create an enjoyable pastime.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,965 discloses an amusement system that has a first and second path extending through an amusement attraction. Vehicles moving along the paths have simulated weapons. Riders in the vehicles shoot at targets along the paths or on the vehicles. If sufficient points are accumulated by hitting targets or if other events occur, the riders in the first vehicle can cause the movement of the second vehicle to change. For example, the riders of the first vehicle could cause the second vehicle to spin or slow down.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,542 discloses an amusement apparatus of the laser target game type comprising a vehicle adapted for control by a game player. The vehicle has seats for carrying game players. A signal source, such as a laser or other device, is under the control of a game player. Detectors are carried on the vehicle for detecting signals emitted from the signal source under control of a competing game player.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,619 discloses a game machine for a moving object. The game machine possesses both a position detecting device being operable to detect a position of a person riding on the moving object on a course of movement to obtain position information and a direction detection device being operable to detect a direction of a field of vision of the person to obtain direction information. The game machine also has a memory being operable to store visual and auditory information regarding a change in the course of movement and a central processing part being operable to select visual and auditory information corresponding to the position of the person and the direction of the field of vision of the person riding on the moving object based on the position information of the position detection device and the direction information of the direction detection device. A speaker and a display are used to output the selected auditory and visual information, respectively.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,281 to Dote discloses a game apparatus which has a vehicle that can display an image matching a background scene of a playing area by synthesizing the image with the background scene. The vehicle moves along a vehicle path provided through the playing area. A player plays a game in the playing area while the player views the background scene of the playing area. An image matching the background scene of the playing area is displayed by a virtual image forming system provided on the vehicle. A scene in which the virtual image is synthesized with the background scene is viewed by the player.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,592 discloses interactive target game system for one or more players including at least one designator in the form of a pistol, holdable by a player for aiming at a target and operating to simulate shooting at the target. The designator includes a photodetector for detecting an electromagnetic beam when the designator is accurately aimed at a beam source. Also included is at least one target viewable by the player for periodically producing an electromagnetic beam which is directed outwardly of the target. During those times that the target is producing the beam, a visible light signal is produced to alert the player that the target is “active”. When the designator is accurately aimed at the target and operated to detect an electromagnetic beam, a visual and/or audible signal is produced by the designator to indicate that a “hit” has occurred. The designator also includes circuitry for developing an electromagnetic beam for transmission in the direction aimed to simulate shooting at targets worn by other players, at beam detectors corresponding to gambling choices which a player may wish to make or at beam detectors associated with different products which a player may wish to purchase.

There is a need, however, for a laser gun game that allows for the players to have receptors on their vehicles, such that when a vehicle is shot by an opponent, the vehicle will slow down or make some other pre-determined maneuver. None of the above identified art discloses such a game. Therefore, it would be beneficial to combine a device and method of engaging a laser gun game with a vehicle, where the vehicle slows down or performs some other maneuver when shot, and where the player can shoot receptors on the track for “powerups” or some other award.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method of playing a laser gun game involving vehicles.

In accordance with a first object of the present invention, a novel device of playing a laser gun game involving vehicles is provided. The novel device includes a laser gun, a vehicle having a motor, and a receptor mounted on the vehicle to receive a laser gun laser which is operatively connected to the motor of the vehicle to regulate the motor when the receptor is activated by a laser from the laser gun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be better understood when read with reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for playing a laser gun game involving vehicles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method of playing the laser gun game of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same components across the several views and in particular to FIG. 1, a device for playing a laser gun game involving vehicles 10 is shown.

The device for playing a laser gun game involving vehicles 10 includes a vehicle 20, and a laser gun 30. The vehicle, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will include a motor such as a go-cart motor. A plurality of sensors 25 are mounted on the exterior of the vehicle and are connected to a governor, which can regulate the motor.

The vehicle 20 travels on a track 35, and during the game. A player 15 drives the vehicle 20 around the track 35. In the process of playing the game, the player 15 shoots the laser gun 30 at the sensors 25 on an opponents vehicle 20, while one or more opponents shoot their laser guns 30 at the sensors 25 on the player's 15 vehicle 20. Additionally, targets 40 can be placed intermittently on the track 35 for the player 15 to shoot at. The player 15 can also shoot at the sensors 25 on his own vehicle 20.

Referring now in part to FIG. 2, a preferred method 100 of playing this game will be described. In the first step 110, the player's 15 vehicle 20 is hit by the laser gun 30. If the gun 30 belongs to player 15 in an alternative step 120, then the governor on the vehicle 20 will cause the motor of the vehicle 20 to speed up 130. If in another step 120, the gun belongs to an opponent of player 15, then the governor on the vehicle 20 will cause the motor to slow the vehicle 20 down 140.

If the player 15 shoots his laser gun 30 at the targets 40 on the track 35, additional bonuses can be given to the player 15. For example, the vehicle 20 for player 15 may be given extra speed 130 such as if the player 15 shot the sensors 25 on an opponent's vehicle 20. Therefore, in essence, the game works by the player 15 driving on the track 35 in the vehicle 20. The vehicle 20 is armed with a laser gun 30. During the game, the player 15 aims the laser gun 30 at opponents' vehicles (not shown) and tries to shoot the opponents' vehicles. If the player 15 is successful in shooting each opponent's vehicle, then the motor in the opponent's vehicle slows down 140. Furthermore, the player 15 can shoot the targets 40 along the track 35. When the player 15 shoots the targets 40 along the track 35, the player 15 can receive bonuses, such as a powerup for the player's 15 vehicle 20. Also, the player 15 can aim the laser gun 30 at the sensors 25 on the player's 15 vehicle 20 to receive bonuses such as powerups. When the sensors 25 on the vehicle 20 of player 15 are struck by a laser from an opponent's laser gun 30, the motor in the vehicle 20 can be set to slow down via the governor, or regulator.

In view of the foregoing disclosure, some advantages of the present invention can be seen. For example, a novel device and method for playing a laser gun game in vehicles 10 is disclosed. The novel device includes sensors 25 on a vehicle 20 such that when the vehicle 20 is shot by a laser gun 30, the vehicle 20 will either slow down 140 or speed up 130 based on whose laser gun 30 strikes the vehicle 20. The method 100 includes a novel way of playing a laser gun game 10 with vehicles 20 in which a player 15 shoots at an opponent's vehicle 20, his own, or target sensors 40 on a track 35.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the player shoots an opponent's vehicle, or is shot by an opponent, the respective vehicle slows down; however, any other event may occur to the vehicles when they are shot. Additionally, powerups have been described as a typical bonus for a player; however, any award may be utilized as a bonus for the player when the player shoots his own vehicle or a target. 

1. A device for playing a laser gun game in a vehicle comprising: a laser gun; a vehicle having a motor; a receptor mounted on the vehicle to receive a laser gun laser and operatively connected to the motor of the vehicle to regulate the motor when the receptor is activated by a laser from the laser gun.
 2. A method for playing a laser gun game in a first and second vehicle having motors utilizing a first laser gun, a second laser gun, and a receptor mounted on the vehicle to receive a laser gun laser and operatively connected to the motor of the vehicle to regulate the motor when the receptor is activated by a laser from the first or second laser gun comprising: firing the first laser gun at the receptor of the first vehicle to cause the motor in the first vehicle to increase speed; firing the first laser gun at the receptor of the second vehicle to cause the motor in the second vehicle to slow down; firing the second laser gun at the receptor of the second vehicle to cause the motor in the second vehicle to increase speed; firing the second laser gun at the receptor of the second vehicle to cause the motor in the first vehicle to slow down; and firing the first or second laser gun at receptors on a track to provide awards to the first or second player. 